John Bruton
Ceist:44 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the current plans in relation to the building of a regional technical college at Blanchardstown, Dublin 15. [16590/97]
Written Answers - Regional Technical Colleges.
In December 1996, approval was confirmed for the provision of a new regional technical college at Blanchardstown to serve the north, north west and north east Dublin region as well as the growth areas in Meath and Kildare. The decision was based mainly on the recommendations of the report of the Steering Committee on the Future Development of Higher Education.
The original site for the regional technical college, beside the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre, proved unsuitable after extensive investigation. Detailed negotiations are under way between officials of my Department and the IDA/Fingal County Council for the acquisition of approximately 45 acres at Buzzardstown, County Dublin. A price has been agreed for the site and funding which was previously approved has been set aside for the acquisition. The proposed new site is part of a comprehensive 230 acre industrial-technology park being developed jointly by Fingal County Council and the IDA and is only a short distance from the original site. The site is of sufficient size to also facilitate the provision of research, innovation and incubation centres on the college campus, thereby facilitating the forging of close links between the new institution and industry.
A high level planning group established under the auspices of the Higher Education Authority is preparing a strategic plan for the new institution. The group, which is chaired by Dr. Gay Corr, Director of Galway Regional Technical College, and whose membership includes leading industrialists from the region, is due to submit its report within the next few months.